Was Luke Skywalker based on George Lucas?

Question

It isn't uncommon to see people claiming or joking that the character of Luke Skywalker was based on George Lucas.

For example, George Lucas in Love and this Onion article.

I can see where this is coming from as they do seem to have some similarities.

For example:

• The names (Lucas and Luke)
• George drag-raced when he was younger, Luke raced spaceships and speeders.
• Both were raised in the desert.

So has Lucas, anyone close to him or anyone involved with the creation of Star Wars ever stated whether or not the character of Luke was based on or inspired by Lucas himself?

Answer 1

Yes, admittedly so.

According to A Brief a Guide to Star Wars by Brian J. Robb:

As he had poured much of his teenage self into several characters in American Graffiti, so the young hero of Star Wars — Luke Skywalker — was very much another George Lucas alter-ego.

(Source)

Robb specifically mentions Lucas' desert upbringing (referring to Tatooine as "the Modesto of this galaxy far, far away"), his desire for adventure, and his refusal to follow in his father's footsteps as a stationary store clerk.

Robb then quotes Lucas directly on the matter:

"You can't write a main character and not have him be part of you," admitted Lucas.